If your wanting to buy a camera and haven't made your mind up then maybe you can take a look at what other people use and their reasons for using it. This is not a debate on which one is greater but a idea for someone that has no clue and just would like to see what everyone else out their is using and why. So if this goes in the right direction post up what camera you use and a small description on why it fits your needs.

I have an Olympus Stylus 1030SW. It's waterproof to 33 ft, dropable from 6 feet, and crush proof to 220#s. Its pretty thin (about the size of a deck of cards) and takes great action shots.

It's tough enough to keep up and small enough to fit in my back pocket. Plus it's steel frame eliminates the need for the extra bulk and hassel of a carrying case. As far as point and shoots go I'd recomend anything in the Stylus Tough Series!

The one downfall I've found is that it only has a measly 3X optical zoom. (which makes sense because it's all internal) So if you're looking for stunning, close up, pro-type shots a DLSR is the way to go, but as far as point-and-shoots go I think it's awesome!

I also have an olympus stylus (mine is the 790 SW which is the older version of the tough series). I would highly recommend the stylus sw, or tough series for the reasons previously stated. They are great cameras for the climbing environment. The only problems that I have had with it involve the IQ (image quality) and the adjustability. These cameras use a LOT of internal noise reduction which limits how sharp the pictures are. The manual settings are also a pain to use as there are no dedicated buttons so I generally just take pictures in auto mode with this camera.

If I am going to haul a DSLR around at the crag, I take my Nikon D60 (I would recommend either the D40 or the D5000, but I got my D60 for a killer deal). I like these Nikons because they are small and lightweight, but they still feel tough (unlike canon rebels). Nikon also has some very inexpensive kit lenses that are super lightweight and still have incredible IQ (all though they certainly aren't fast lenses). These lenses are cheap enough that I don't have to worry about damaging them in the climbing environment, but still take good pics.

Well those are the 2 cameras I use for climbing, I generally take the Olympus for multipitch, and the Nikon for cragging.

Nikon D60 $500 Takes great quality pictures. Expensive compared to point and shoots but cheap compared to DSLRs. Bulky to carry around. Higher risk of damaging it. Takes a bit of time to compose a picture and set focus and exposure.

Fujifim J120 $100 Small takes okay pictures. Can reach into a pocket and grab it with one hand.

Pentax Optio S $50 used Really small. Takes about same quality pictures as the Fujifilm with lower resolution.

there's always that one that starts the bs on every thread. listen buddy i just posted what camera i use just like everyone else did on here. I love the negative drama to a thread though makes it more interesting.

Canon G11 i heard good things on it. Actually was going to buy it instead of the one i have now. Can't believe someone mention the G11 all i hear is it's a piece of sh#t. I always thought well of the G11.

This camera is just a little bigger than a Canon G11 with the 20mm F1.7 pancake lens. It takes excellent low light pictures, has a built in flash, and shoots awesome 720p @ 30 FPS video. It uses interchangeable lenses and you can buy adapters for just about any brand of lens.

I carry the Nikon D90 with a couple of lenses. Rationale and much lengthier explanation on [url=http://www.alexandrebuisse.org/writings/articles/A-guide-to-digital-mountain-climbing-photography]this article.